Exercise Training Program for Cerebellar Ataxia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cerebellar Ataxia
• Interventions: Behavioral: Home exercise program

• Registration Number: NCT01307176
• Lead Sponsor: Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a person's ability to adapt (i.e. short term motor learning) predicts their ability to benefit from physical therapy exercises.

Detailed Description

The cerebellum is important for coordination of movement and for motor learning. No medications systematically improve cerebellar ataxia, and little is known about the effectiveness of rehabilitation exercises, which are often the only treatment option. Here, we ask whether a person's ability to adapt (i.e. short term motor learning) predicts their ability to benefit from physical therapy exercises. This pilot-clinical trial will test a subject's ability to adaptively learn a new walking pattern in a single session, and then any improvement of walking and balance over a 13 week time period during which they participate in a specialized home exercise training program. Our prediction is that those individuals with some preserved adaptive learning ability will be the best rehabilitation candidates.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-02
• Study First Submitted: 2011-02-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-02-28
• Study First Posted: 2011-03-02
• Primary Completion: 2014-02
• Study Completion: 2015-02
• Status Verified: 2015-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-03-31
• Last Update Posted: 2015-04-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 25

Inclusion Criteria

• Cerebellar damage from stroke, tumor, or degeneration
• Able to stand and take steps with or without assistance
• Age 18-95

Exclusion Criteria

• Extrapyramidal symptoms
• Peripheral vestibular loss (e.g. absence of VOR)
• Congestive heart failure
• Peripheral artery disease with claudication
• Pulmonary or Renal Failure
• Unstable angina
• Uncontrolled hypertension ( > 190/100 mmHg)
• Dementia (Mini-Mental State exam > 22)
• Severe aphasia
• Orthopedic or pain conditions
• Pregnancy
• Prisoner
• Evidence of chronic white matter disease on MRI

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Home exercise program	Home exercise program	Balance and walking exercise program

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in walking speed from baseline to mid-training and to post-training	Participants are assessed at baseline (week 1 and week 3), mid-training (week 6), and post-training (week 9 and week 13). There are a total of 13 weeks for this study with 5 visits during that time period	Here, we ask whether a person's ability to adapt (i.e. short term motor learning) predicts their ability to benefit from physical therapy exercises. Our prediction is that those individuals with some preserved adaptive ability will be show the greatest improvement in walking speed.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Motion Analysis Lab in the Kennedy Krieger Institute; 🇺🇸 Baltimore, Maryland, United States